The Architecture of James H. Johnson Historic Resource Survey, a project sponsored by the Greece Historical Society (GHS), received a New York State Historic Preservation Award for Excellence in Historic Documentation from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on December 4, 2019, at the New York State Museum in Albany.
Created in 1980, the State Historic Preservation Awards are presented each year to honor excellence in the protection and revitalization of historic and cultural resources. The historic resources survey documenting the life and work of Rochester’s iconic late 20th century architect, was presented to Christopher Brandt and Katie Eggers Comeau of Bero Architecture PLLC, Gina DiBella, preservation consultant, and Bill Sauers, GHS president.
Johnson worked in the greater Rochester area from 1957 until his death in 2016. During this period, he was responsible for a remarkable body of work, designing and constructing some of the area’s most distinctive public, private, and religious buildings, as well as an iconic piece of public art. He is known locally as the designer of St. John the Evangelist Church and Our Lady of Mercy Rectory (Greece), the “Mushroom House” (Perinton), the Liberty Pole (Rochester), and Temple Sinai (Brighton).
“The thoughtful research and recordation of Johnson’s work has resulted in a document that provides invaluable information about the life and legacy of the prolific local architect,” said Erik Kulleseid, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The loss through demolition of one of Johnson’s early designs, the rectory of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, was the impetus behind the Greece Historical Society’s sponsorship of the survey. “We did not want to lose another of his buildings,” said Bill Sauers, GHS president. “Knowing where those buildings were located, was an important first step in preventing that from happening again.”
The Johnson survey, which was funded by grants from the Preservation League of New York State, the Landmark Society of Western New York, and the Johnson family, was one of ten preservation awards presented by the state this year.
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